In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced legally enforceable drinking water standards for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The final rule sets limits for five PFAS chemicals and establishes a hazard index level for mixtures of two or more PFAS chemicals. What does this rule mean for public water systems? Initial...
The City of Freeport is embarking on a 25-year plan to replace 75%, or 1,351, of the community's 1,800 sidewalk ramps so they all comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The City intends to replace 50 ramps this year at a cost of $13,000 each, or $650,000 in total. The entire project replacement will cost about $38.4 million, w...
The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) was conceptualized to limit nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, from entering Illinois waterways. An excess of nutrients in Illinois rivers flows downstream, making its way to the Gulf of Mexico and causing low-oxygen zones that cannot sustain aquatic life. The strategy aims to reduc...
Biosolids are treated sewage sludge that meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Standards for the Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge. They are commonly applied to land as a soil conditioner or fertilizer and can be used on agricultural land, forests and rangeland. Biosolids are also suitable for nonagricultural use, such as golf courses,...
Parks and recreational areas are valuable assets to many communities. They serve as gathering places, promote physical and mental health and improve overall quality of life. These spaces support public health by encouraging exercise and active lifestyles, boost local economies by attracting visitors and tourists, and foster a stronger sense of comm...
Biological wastewater treatment is a bioremediation process that uses microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi and algae, to break down or transform pollutants in water into less harmful substances. Treatment techniques involve either attached growth processes, where microbes grow on the surface of stone or plastic media, or suspended growth process...
In October 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule requiring all drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead service lines within 10 years. To support this, federal programs, including the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN), Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DW...
Groundwater is an essential source of drinking water and irrigation. Contamination occurs when chemicals seep into the soil from petroleum products, landfill waste, fertilizers, pesticides, leaking underground storage tanks and other sources. Groundwater contamination is often hard to detect and over time can cause severe consequences, including le...
In the final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated that all water systems replace lead service lines within 10 years of the compliance date. An estimated 9.2 million lead service lines deliver water across the U.S. To meet the EPA's goal of full replacement, municipalities must develop tar...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed effluent limitation guidelines (ELGs) as national regulatory standards to control wastewater discharges of pollutants into surface waters and publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). To date, the EPA has issued ELGs for 59 industrial categories. The wastewater treatment plant effluent stan...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines a brownfield as a property where redevelopment, expansion or reuse is complicated by the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant. These properties can range from small, abandoned gas stations to large industrial sites. When abandoned or neglected, brownfields can pose public...
Cost estimates play a critical role in the early planning stages of commercial sewage treatment systems. The first step in planning a wastewater treatment system upgrade for an industrial facility involves identifying suitable treatment processes and equipment. The next step is comparing the treatment processes, taking costs and operational realiti...
Farmers are no doubt well-versed in weather patterns, soil makeup and seed germination. Mention edge-of-field practices, and the conversation can become a little stilted. Despite potential to improve agriculture, many farmers have yet to adopt them. Still, the ability for edge-of-field practices to effectively boost water quality is a boon to agric...
Brownfield renewable energy is a promising solution for environmental restoration and sustainable power generation. Brownfields, or developed sites that may be contaminated or underused, provide unique opportunities to convert into productive energy hubs. With the proper planning and approach, these sites can become renewable energy projects. Feder...
Sustainable wastewater management focuses on closing the loop on resource usage during wastewater treatment, creating a system where waste is minimized by resource recycling and reuse. By integrating efficient treatment processes and technologies, communities can minimize environmental impact while improving long-term water quality. The 3Rs of sust...
Traditional sewage treatment plants are large outdoor facilities that require significant energy consumption and high operational and maintenance costs. Most traditional treatment plants adhere to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-mandated secondary treatment standards, which are minimum, technology-based requirements. In contrast, the effl...
Contaminated soil poses environmental health risks, making remediation essential. One of the most effective methods for a soil remediation approach is soil excavation, which involves removing and transporting contaminated soil off-site for treatment or disposal. This process is widely used but comes with significant costs. This blog post explores t...
There's a simple way for architects, engineers and even contractors to lower project costs – all it takes is a little planning and a lot of know-how. Fehr Graham specializes in soil management, including Clean Construction or Demolition (CCDD) services, which test project soil to determine if it qualifies for disposal at regulated sites throughout ...
Per- and Polyfluoroalkalyl Substances (PFAS) are not directly generated at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) but enter through influent from industrial, commercial and domestic sources. Standard sludge treatment methods, such as digestion, lime treatment, thermal drying and composting, do not remove PFAS. As a result, municipal biosolids often co...
The Mississippi River flows through Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, carrying vast quantities of nutrient-rich freshwater and sediment to the Gulf of Mexico. Agricultural and urban runoff, primarily from fertilizers, animal manure and wastewater discharges, increase nitrogen and phosphorus in the river, resulting in hypoxia zones. These so-called dea...
